Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Frontotemporal Dementia Shows Subcortical Atrophy

Background/Aims: The clinical syndrome of the frontotemporal dementias (FTD) overlaps with frontal-subcortical circuit syndromes. We explored the extent to which subcortical atrophy on structural magnetic resonance imaging may indicate a subcortical contribution to the progression of FTD. Methods: T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders 2008-01, Vol.26 (1), p.79-88
Main Authors: Chow, Tiffany W., Izenberg, Aaron, Binns, Malcolm A., Freedman, Morris, Stuss, Donald T., Scott, Chris J.M., Ramirez, Joel, Black, Sandra E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Atrophy
Basal Ganglia - pathology
Biological and medical sciences
Case-Control Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Dementia
Dementia - pathology
Female
Frontal Lobe - pathology
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Nervous system
Neurology
Original Research Article
Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry
Thalamus - pathology
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Summary:Background/Aims: The clinical syndrome of the frontotemporal dementias (FTD) overlaps with frontal-subcortical circuit syndromes. We explored the extent to which subcortical atrophy on structural magnetic resonance imaging may indicate a subcortical contribution to the progression of FTD. Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study compared striatal and thalamic gray matter volumes and functional levels from 30 FTD cases and 30 age- and gender-matched controls. Results: The FTD group had significantly more atrophy in all gray matter subcortical regions, correlating with ipsilateral frontocortical atrophy. Subcortical atrophy was also associated with functional disability. Subcortical asymmetry was most marked in subjects with primary progressive aphasia. Conclusion: Subcortical gray matter atrophy may contribute as significantly to symptoms of FTD as cortical atrophy.
ISSN:1420-8008
1421-9824
DOI:10.1159/000144028